Job Interviews and Negative Comments

@cmw4562 (239)
United States
January 21, 2008 2:38pm CST
Went on a parttime job interview this morning. I don't have to work, but have a few hours of free time each day, so this is an excuse to get out of the house! :) In any case, I was early which is what you should do. There was an individual being interviewed nearby. So I patiently waited all the while thinking how this individual looked very familiar. The proximity of the interview meant that the entire interview could be overheard. At one point, the individual was told that they would be receiving straight commission. The individual then piped up and indicated that "when I worked for so and so (I know this individual), they gave me a salary, commission and a demo". And then this individual continued blah blah and mentioned something about an individual at that job getting hurt. I looked again and thought to myself "THAT is where I know you from." And then this individual ends that bit of interview conversation with something along the lines of "Well so and so (the previous employer that I know) is not an easy person to deal with." My jaw about dropped to the floor!!! I could not believe that I heard those words out of that individual's mouth!!! The protocol is that you NEVER EVER say anything negative about any previous employer in your current interview. Why? Because why would someone then hire you, leaving the possibility open that if you left this job that you would then start talking bad about them too? They don't want to risk it. Anyone have a previous experience such as this?
1 response
arkaringa
@arkaringa (20)
• Australia
8 Feb 08
You are absolutely right. I work as an interviewer and the minute a candidate says bad things about their current or previous employer it creates great doubt for the interviewer. For a start you should always try to keep the conversation positive at an interview and if you are nasty the prospective employer will immediately think that you will say negative things about them too or be disruptive in the workplace. You can also create an impression that it's not the previous employer that is the problem but you. If you have to say why you want to leave your current job then talk about what you want like more variety in your work, more convenient hours, you've heard what a great company they are etc. Hope you got the job!